Loading IIIF - Issue with pressure plate?

[Dixonticonderoga]

Recently bought a Leica IIIf and am trying to load film. I've read all the instructions and watched about 10 videos and can't figure out if there's something wrong with the camera. I've trimmed the film, and when I try to get it into the camera, it wont go in all the way. I can tell that it's not the cartridge or take up spool, but something blocking the film itself as it goes down into the camera.

I've tried slipping a business card down the slot, but it will only get a few cm in before getting stuck.

I've included a few pics below, though it's hard to really see what's going on. It seems like part of the pressure plate might be sticking out more than it should. The first image shows how far I can get a card into it before I feel the resistance.

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Any ideas? Am I just doing something wrong? Thanks!

 

[mdarnton]

Take the lens off, set the shutter to T and open it up. What do you see behind the shutter, a plain flat smooth black expanse or something else?

 

[doolittle]

If you do as mdarnton says and can see the pressure plate: give it a gentle press with your finger and see if it moves. If it does put your film in and gently press it down against the plate and manoeuvre it into position.

 

[Monochrom]

Sometimes pieces of old film get stuck in the pressure plate making such problems.
The PP may have gone out of whack also so as mdarnton said take off the lens open the shutter and actuate the presurre plate for an even easy movement.
You can also take the body off by unscrewing it with two black screws at the fron and depending on camera model 4 chrome screws where the body connects with the upper plate.
It´s quite easy and you will know that way the exact cause of trouble.

Good luck

 

[mcfingon]

Maybe post a picture of film and cassette showing how you've trimmed the film?

 

[Dixonticonderoga]

Take the lens off, set the shutter to T and open it up. What do you see behind the shutter, a plain flat smooth black expanse or something else?

Can just see the black pressure plate behind the shutter. Gave it a gentle push, but doesn't have much give.

A bit nervous to unscrew anything. Is there a diagram/instructions I should be referring to if I want to check out the pressure plate?

 

[Jerzyw]

It might be a rest of broken film, however I believe that plate is misplaced. There is no way to determine in which direction it is misplaced without removing shell. With some luck you may try to put into correct position: open the shutter as described above, with two fingers apply more force on pressure plate, moving slightly up, down, left and right until you will free it up. If misplace meant is small you may success. If however misplacement is bigger the only one thing is to remove shell. In case your IIIf is without self timer it is rather easy, as described above, with self timer t might be too complicated. When removing the shell almost always you will lose a smal piece of Vulkanit right to slow speed dial. Do not throw it away but reglue after the shell will be on its place.

 

[Mr_Flibble]

The pressure plate could be installed upside down. One edge of the plate will have a 'ramp' so the film can slide between it and the film plane. If it is upside down the film will get caught on the edge.

Simpel fix but it does involve taking shell off as Jerzyw explained.

 

[Dixonticonderoga]

OK, so if I'm going to take off the shell, which screws exactly do I need to be removing? The four around where the lens attaches, and the 2 black ones on either side?

 

[Erik van Straten]

If I am right, you only have too loosen up the four screws around the screw mount, but the two black screws on the front you have to remove completely. Then carefully pull the shell from the top plate while pushing the rangefinder roller inside. Be careful with the screws, when they fall on the floor you'll never find them back. They are really small. Use a high grade screwdriver that fits really well and do not damage the screws.

Erik.

 

[Timmyjoe]

The pressure plate could be installed upside down. One edge of the plate will have a 'ramp' so the film can slide between it and the film plane. If it is upside down the film will get caught on the edge.

Simpel fix but it does involve taking shell off as Jerzyw explained.

This was my first thought as well, that or jammed piece of film in the camera.

 

[FrankS]

Before taking anything apart, have you tried loading film with the lens off and the shutter open at B or T? Then you should be able to see the film. You have trimmed the leader, right?

 

[Dixonticonderoga]

Before taking anything apart, have you tried loading film with the lens off and the shutter open at B or T? Then you should be able to see the film. You have trimmed the leader, right?

Yes, it's not an issue with the film. The film wont even go down far enough into the camera that you can see it through the open shutter. The pressure plate is blocking it.

 

[FrankS]

With the lens off and the shutter open, can you push the bottom of the pressure plate to create room for the film to enter?

 

[Dixonticonderoga]

With the lens off and the shutter open, can you push the bottom of the pressure plate to create room for the film to enter?

It has a little give when I push it, but barely any on the right side, which seems to be where the film is being blocked.

 

[David Hughes]

Hi,

To be doubly certain when taking things apart it's best to get an old fashioned tea tray and a piece of soft waffly kitchen paper. Put the paper on the tray and then the camera on top. That way, if anything drops out it hits the paper and doesn't bounce away never to be seen again. If it's an old fashioned tray it will have high sides that act as a long stop...

I'll wish you luck.

Regards, David

PS And do check those screwdrivers carefully. Ill fitting screwdriver blades can and do cause a lot of damage.

 

[Dixonticonderoga]

Thanks everyone. Took off the shell, and it does appear the pressure plate was on upside down. When i reversed it, and put it back together, i can finally get the film to slide in. Now to troll the forum for the more usual loading issues.

 

[FrankS]

Good job!

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I do love a happy ending🙂

 

[madNbad]

Trim the leader, attach it to the take up spool, pull out just enough film to be able to drop both the cassette and the take up spool in equally, slide the film and the take up spool all the way in, attach the baseplate, wind once, check the rewind to insure the film is advancing and have fun. Congratulations on fixing the problem so quickly and welcome to the forum.